Heatwave Information

There are some simple things you can do to reduce the impact of extreme heat.

What is a heatwave

A heatwave is an extended period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather.

Heatwaves can have a detrimental impact on communities. They affect many parts of everyday life including health and wellbeing.

Simple heatwave tips

Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the impact of extreme heat:

stay hydrated – you should drink two to three litres of water a day even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid “fizzy”, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks and do not take salt tablets (unless instructed to by a doctor)

minimise sun exposure – keep out of the sun as much as possible. If you must be in the sun, wear a shirt, hat and sunglasses. Also make sure you wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which limits the body’s ability to cope with heat

prepare your home – Prepare your home early. Service or replace your air conditioner BEFORE you need it. Curtains, awnings and blinds can also help to keep the home cool

make use of air conditioning – if you don’t have air conditioning, make use of public facilities such as shopping centres, art galleries, cinemas or other air-conditioned buildings. Portable fans are also useful in drawing in cool air, or exhausting warm air from a room

remember your pets – pets can be particularly vulnerable to the heat. Make sure they have shade and plenty of cool water to last the day